Alcohol sold to minors at local businesses

Employees at several local businesses served alcohol to minors during a two-day alcohol compliance detail by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Youth Service Unit and the PACT Prevention Coalition.

As part of a the Sheriff’s Office Investigative Aide Program, a 16-year-old boy and girl and a 17-year-old boy tried to buy alcohol at local businesses on March 29 and April 1, according to a Sheriff’s Office release.

Over the two-day operation, they tried to buy alcohol at 37 local businesses and were served alcohol at 10 of those businesses.

During the operation, aides would show their actual identification if asked and would also give their real age if asked.

The Sheriff’s Office filed a charge of selling, serving or giving alcohol to a person less than 21 years old on the 10 people who served alcohol to one or more of the minors, the release said. Eight clerks checked identification and still sold alcohol to one or more of the minors, and two of the clerks did not ask for identification.

Reports from the operation will go to the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, which may conduct administrative investigations.

On Friday, one employee at each of the following businesses was charged with selling alcohol to a minor:

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"As part of a the Sheriff’s Office Investigative Aide Program, a 16-year-old boy and girl and a 17-year-old boy tried to buy alcohol at local businesses on March 29 and April 1, according to a Sheriff’s Office release."

I'm surprised RIPE sold to a minor. I really like that the record posted all the establishments that carded and refused to sell, good for them! This is a great thing the SJCSO does, it's important for these places to adhere to the laws and keep alcohol out of the hands of minors.